Saints 10-13 Cowboys
I kinda had this: I thought the Saints would struggle, Cowboys would be up after 3 quarters, then the Saints would come back and steal it late (because that's who they are). Well, the Saints forgot to come back and win it but otherwise I wasn't that surprised by this. The Saints are so-so on the road (don't let that shellacking in Cincy fool ya) and they naturally are a win-it-late kinda team anyway, so farting around for three quarters in a tough road game shouldn't be a shock. Throw in that the Cowboys have been playing better lately (I thought their pass rush looked great against the Saints) and they have a swagger since their division foes are rapidly falling apart. I'm a little surprised the Saints didn't find a way to win--they are the better team--but I still think they're in the playoff pole position (and I would take them to pummel the Cowboys if the meet in the post-season).
Broncos 24-10 Bengals
This is the meeting of the Broncos aren't that bad and man, the Bengals suck! The Broncos have a workmanlike offense and that killer D they sported a few years back looks like it is finally returning. They've gone from overrated to underrated and that makes them kinda dangerous this time of year. As for the Bengals, okay I'll say it: time for Marvin Lewis to go. When you bring in Hue Jackson just to get smoked by the team that just ran him outta town...and there's talk that Hue might replace Marvin?!? Man, bad things are going down in Cincy. They would be better off by cleaning house in management (I'd move on from that GM, too) and giving the whole facility a fumigation.
Bears 27-30 (OT) Giants
Remember the Eli Principle: he makes good teams bad and bad teams good. So when you think the Bears are gonna roll over this crappy Giants team, nope, that's the time to put your chips on blue. The Bears came in without Trubisky (he's the new John Elway, you know) but still had plenty enough to move the ball on the Giants, but they didn't; thought that Bears pass rush would make mincemeat of Eli and that sorry O-line, but they didn't. So is this just Eli's veteran savvy picking apart an overconfident squad or are the Bears not quite ready to win? (Hmmm, I'll take both)
Vikings 10-24 Pats
Pretty even game for about three quarters but the Vikings offense stalled and the Pats were able to take hold of the game. I think the problem with the Vikings is Kirk Cousins: he isn't bad, he doesn't injure the team but he doesn't elevate the team either, he is the 15th best QB in the league, which isn't awful but isn't really good either. Otherwise I still think the Vikings are one of the best teams in the league but the Packers and Panthers and Redskins falling apart is the only way they get into the playoffs. As for the Pats, they can still beat people in the playoffs, I guess, but this is one of the weaker offenses they've had in the Brady years.
Chargers 33-30 Steelers
Another result that came to pass, though when the Steelers came out fast, I thought maybe I misjudged it. But then the Steelers attack kinda dried up and the Chargers had all the momentum in the 2nd half. That final FG fiasco was reminiscent of something I noticed earlier this year: the Steelers defense has the amazing ability to either commit a penalty or incite a penalty from the other side, like no unit I can recall in all my football watching days. Fun game, disappointing performance for the Steelers but really cemented the Chargers' status as one of those teams that can go deep in the post-season.
Other results (surprising):
Cards 20-17 Packers
Ohhhh, fuuuuudddggge! Well, Mike McCarthy was gonna get it at some point, losing to a bad team that was a 14 point underdog at home seems like a pretty good point. The Cards are still not any good, the Packers are officially done for the year. So who do you like as the new coach? Urban Meyer? (not seeing it) Jim Harbaugh? (maybe) Josh McDaniels? (maybe but I kinda like the Bill Belichick theory instead) Joe Philbin? (no--shit, I'd have Bobby Petrino!) Bruce Arians? (seems like he wants the Browns job, right?) How about Hue Jackson--you know he knows how to coach!
Panthers 17-24 Bucs
Bad L for the Panthers, I really don't understand why they're sputtering so badly right now. The Bucs are really not a good team and this was a good chance for the Panthers to right the ship, get their offense going and get a division W on the road...and they let it get by them. The Panthers are capable of beating anyone or losing to anyone, but they've been less then an up-and-down squad lately.
Colts 0-6 Jags
Wtf? I don't get this one at all. Okay, maybe the Jags D had a good game again but, man, that offense has nothing going for it, how did the Colts fail to outscore them?
Other results (not so surprising):
Ravens 26-16 Falcons
The Falcons really should be better, even with their debilitating injuries on defense. They're done for the year, not sure where they go from here: can they just re-up this year's team and hope for better health or is it time for a tear down? The Ravens are just kinda hanging around, just like every year. I'm not quite sold on Lamar Jackson just yet but he's getting wins, so I guess they gotta keep riding him. The Ravens still have a shot at the post-season but it might be easier to catch the Steelers than the get the wild card.
Rams 30-16 Lions
Yeah, that's about right.
Bills 17-21 Dolphins
Division game between two mediocre teams. Dolphins probably should've handled this game a little better but they got the W.
Browns 13-29 Texans
Yeah, that's about right. Personally I believe in the Texans, I've liked Deshaun Watson all year long and that pass rush is rounding into shape, they're gonna be a tough out for somebody. The Browns have been playing better but this is a tough road game for them.
Jets 22-26 Titans
I'd like to see the Titans dominate a game (they whooped the Pats but that's their only one of those all year long), they're good enough to win more games than they lose but not good enough to really be any good. The Jets suck in every way.
Chiefs 40-33 Raiders
The Chiefs really need to worry about that sorry defense. That amazing offense is gonna be good enough to outscore most opponents but that D is not good and it's gonna hurt them at some point.
Niners 16-43 Seahawks
I was wrong about the Seahawks, I thought they were done but they've got a good QB and a good coach and that duo can keep mediocre team alive. If the Vikings and Panthers continue to struggle, the Seahawks are gonna sneak into the playoffs--good for them! It's been a long season for the Niners and they got so little out of Jimmy G that they're still not even sure what they've got. Man, a tough tough season for the Niners.
Redskins 13-28 Eagles
Division game, nothing would've surprised me. This sounds about right.
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